Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-07-20
sabbath school Excursion.
TReporred for the SPECTATOR


| The Sabbath Schools of the First and Second
Presbyterian churches united in their annual
picnic Thursday, 18th. Messrs. Daniel and
Anderson, proprietors of The Augusta White
| Sulphur formerly Crawford Springs) having
| rendered the free privilege of that delightful
| resort made the occasion specially attractive.
and the ample arrangement for The excursion
under the well ordered direction of VIM. j.
Nelson, Esq, gave opportunity for a day Of
pleasure and recreation to many who were glad
to escape, even for q day, the toll and heat OF
office or counting room. By seven O'Clock a.
NJ, the depot and platform of the G. & o. r. H.,
presented lively scene of eager expectant
pleasure seekers, of every age from the tiny
little bright-eyed angel of the nursery to the
grey haired Matron and hoary grand-sire AL
7:30 we'll filled train and baggage car laden
with the good things that are always prepared
on occasions of the kind steamed out for Pond
Gap, and by 8 O. clock the lovely grounds OF the
Augusta White Sulphur was an imposing sight,
The boiling alley, ball room, croquet and ten
mis- grounds, were in speedy requisition by
sweethearts and their beaux. The younger
ones sought swings, hammocks and other
amusements suited to their various ages ana
tastes, while the older or more staid were con-
tent to lounge in the shaded lawn. and enjoy
the m cry making OF hundreds OF happy girls
and boys, around who in turn were attracted
to these lazy-looking groups. as their peals OF
laughter would rise to the nights of Ell1ots
Knob at the letting of some side splitting ance-
dote brought them into notice. By the by how
many of your readers recall the picnic excur-
sion to ElIfot's Knob on the 10th Of June, 1893.
There were over three hundred names register
ed there that day, IN q book provided by the
late P o. Palmer, for the purpose. 1t would be
interesting to look 1t over if it has been pre-
served. -Four of those whose names were in
scribed upon its pages that day. were at the
Augusta White Thursday, one of these LADY,
and decided belle at the time referred 10,
achieved quite feat OF eQuestrianism that day.
It is remarkable to say that, while time has
left no rude traces, her memory ofthe occasion
has faded entirely. Col. Bolivar Christian was
the orator Of the day and was the escort of
young lady who scaled the very highest point
of the Knob on horseback. The first instance
known!
But 1t was the Sunday School picnic start
ed to write about, and I wonder that lost
sight of the Augusta White" its delightful
shade, its pleasant walks, and cool sparkling
water at the mere mention of the rugged steep
have been talking about. Surely more de-
lightful spot could not have been selected for
wanting to complete the round of pleas
ure. Perhaps the most striking incident
of the day, was the informal baptism OF
several young ladies while boating on the
Lake. Presenting the unusual spectacle OF
immersion under Presbyterian auspices. The
number of spectators was large. The pastors
of the respective congregations number OF
Ruling Elders, and one Deacon were on the
ground, but the latter only, officiated. The
managers of the Springs and their corps of as
sistants spared no effort to make their visitors
enjoy themselves and at least five hundred
bear willing testimony to their success. At
o'clock the shrill shrek of the Iron Horse sum-
moned the happy multitude to the train, and
after the familiar "all aboard" was hallowed.
many jest and song was unbroken till the cars
reached Staunton, and the refrain Of many
little one weary of unbroken pleasure was put
me in my little bedi' PEcKNUCKER.